Smoke Shop & Hookah Lounge

If you are looking for a hookah lounge in Akron where you can actually relax, this spot downtown has earned its reputation as one of the best in town. Locals will tell you the atmosphere is a big part of the draw. It is well lit, the music stays at a reasonable volume, and the crowd tends to skew a little older, which makes for a calm, casual place to hang out. More than a few people treat it as a spot to get work or schoolwork done during the week, then come back for Akron's weekend vibes when they usually have a DJ going.

The hookah is what keeps regulars coming back. They keep a good variety of pipes and shisha on hand, and the word around Akron is that the staff know how to do it right, from the ambience down to how well the hookah is maintained through your session. Ask for MJ, the manager, and folks say you will be taken care of. Gina gets plenty of love too, known for coming up with unique flavor combinations and staying attentive to make sure everyone is having a good time.

Beyond hookah, they carry smoking accessories and supplies as well. We have heard from people who drove in from as far as Michigan and moved here from New York City, and the take is the same: of all the hookah spots in the Akron area, this is the one they recommend to friends. Newcomers get looked after too, so even if you have never smoked hookah before, just ask and someone will walk you through it. Prices are generally reasonable, and folks say the place has come a long way under new management.

A visitor is split here and there, but the steady word is friendly service and a cozy, welcoming room worth settling into.